Negligence in the performance of a duty or claiming an opportunity, especially the failure to assert a legal claim in time, that makes it invalid.

[From Middle English lachesse, from Anglo French, from Middle Frenchlaschesse, from Old French lasche (slack), ultimately from Latin laxare(to loosen).]

Probably the most common use of this word is in law. A lawstudent told me it meant "sleeping on your rights" = waitingtoo long to seek a legal remedy you may be entitled to. I believe there is a French word "lachete" = cowardice,going back to the days when you had to be ready to fight with a sword to get your rights.

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